Combined corner guard and spacer clip for fenestrations

ABSTRACT

A clip and method for protecting and properly installing fenestrations during installation of building masonry and insuring a minimum clearance between the masonry and the fenestration frame. The clip is fitted to each side of the frame and temporarily secured by insertion of a retention rib into a slot formed into the outside of each side of the frame. An outer locator flange projects a distance equal to the desired minimum clearance. The clips may also be used to secure a protective film wrapped over the outer side of the fenestration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application60/772,216 filed on Feb. 21, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns installation of windows and doors in buildingwalls which have a masonry exterior, such as brick, but also includingstucco, EF is, stone, etc.

More particularly, the invention concerns a corner guard and spacer clipand method for insuring proper clearance between windows and doorsinstalled during construction and where masonry such as brick or stone,stucco, or other siding material will subsequently be applied to theframing wall.

Windows and doors (collectively referred to in the industry asfenestrations) installed during the construction of a building are oftenprovided with plastic corner guards along the exposed side edges of theframes.

Window and door frames are typically provided with perimeter slots suchas to mull join multiple units together with clips. Protective cornerguard clips have also been used in which a retention lip spaced from oneof the corners pushed into this slot on each side of the window. Afterconstruction, the clips are pulled out and discarded.

A common problem with fenestrations installed during construction iscaused when a contractor installs masonry such as bricks, stone, etc.,too close to the protruding window or door frame. When the buildingsettles due to the expansion and contraction of materials or the dryingout of the wood in the framing, pressure is exerted on the window frameby the relatively immobile masonry, particularly by a masonry sill. Thiscan distort the window or door frame and cause interference with openingof movable sashes or door panels. This is a significant service problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the concept of the present invention, a novel corner guardclip configuration is provided having a locator flange profileprotruding outwardly from the perimeter of the frame a distancecorresponding to the proper masonry clearance, i.e. approximately ⅜″around the sides of the window or door frame. This effectively preventsa mason contractor from installing masonry within that clearance space.The clips can be removed after the masonry or other siding material hasbeen applied and the clearance joint is then caulked.

The locator flange can also be serrated or toothed and a plastic filmsuch as a stretch wrap cover applied over the outer face of the windowand wrapped around the flange and clip side to protect the exposed outerface of the window or door from dirt, paint, etc. In this case, both theplastic film cover and the clips are removed after construction iscompleted.

A plastic film cover can also be installed by inserting the lip of thecorner guard into the sheet previously put over the front of the window,pushing it into a slot to secure the same to the window or door.

Such clips can be configured variously to match a particular windowdesign and frame attachment method. For example, perimeter slots maybeprovided in different locations and be of differing sizes, etc.

The clip can be provided with a grip projecting normally from the planeof the window or door to aid in removal to eliminate the need to use atool such as a screw driver to remove the same. This minimizes thepossibility of damage from improper use of the tool.

The protective plastic film can also be attached by a band wound aroundthe window or door frame holding the film in place over the clips

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a window installed in an openinginto a building wall shown in fragmentary form having clips according tothe present invention fitted thereto.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of clips according to the invention installedon a window shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary partially exploded pictorial enlarged view ofone corner of the window and a clip as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the clip shown in FIG. 3 with a portion of theclip shown in FIG. 3 with a portion of an associated fenestration shownin phantom lines.

FIG. 4A is a side view of a modified embodiment of a clip according tothe invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a window corner having installed thereon amodified embodiment of the clip shown in FIGS. 1-4, with a fragmentaryportion of a protective view film installed thereon.

FIG. 5A is an end view of a clip with a film layer captured in a groovein a window shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 6 is a reduced size side view of a window having a protective filminstalled on a window using a clip as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6A is a side view of a window having a protective film installedwith the aid of an encircling band.

FIG. 7 is an end view of another embodiment of a clip according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged fragmentary end view of the clip shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, certain specific terminology willbe employed for the sake of clarity and a particular embodimentdescribed in accordance with the requirements of 35 USC 112, but it isto be understood that the same is not intended to be limiting and shouldnot be so construed inasmuch as the invention is capable of taking manyforms and variations within the scope of the appended claims

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a fenestration comprised of a window 10 is showninstalled in an opening 12 of a building structure 16, having a masonryfacing 14 (shown as brick).

A series of clips 18 are installed on the window 10, on each side. Theclips 18 maybe long enough to occupy most of the length of a respectiveside. Alternatively, shorter clips 18 may be used, preferably in agreater number.

Each clip 18 is advantageously constructed of a plastic molding orextrusion, although other materials and methods, such as formed metalcould be used.

The clips 18 are shaped generally as an angle piece having a pair ofintegral legs 20, 22 extending at approximately a right angle to eachother as to be fit to side and front surfaces of the window frame 24.

A retainer rib 26 projects back from the front leg 22 spaced below theside leg 20, and is received in a corresponding slot 28 extending aroundthe perimeter of the window frame 24 (FIG. 4). An angled retentionfeature 30 is formed on the distal end of the retainer rib 26 and sizedand configured to create a frictional engagement with the slot 28 wheninserted therein.

Thus, the clips 18 can be easily installed and later removed, but heldsecurely in position once installed.

A spacer flange 32 projects outwardly from the corner where legs 20, 22of each clip 18 meet, preferably extending outwardly a distance ofapproximately ¼ to ⅜ of an inch. A distance of 0.325 inches ispreferred.

The locator flange 32 prevents any part of the masonry surface frombeing installed against or too close to the window frame 24 so that aminimum clearance is always provided for to avoid the problems describedabove.

The clips 18 will be removed after construction is completed. Thus, thewindow frame 24 and the window 10 are both protected from damage andadequate clearance from the masonry 14 is insured.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the window 10 can be further protected bywrapping plastic film 34 around the front of the window 10. The spacerflanges 32A serrated along the upper edge 36 thereof to engage and holdthe film 32 stretched across the front of window 10.

FIG. 4A shows the addition of an outwardly projecting grip tee shape 38which facilitates removal of the clip 18 without the need for ascrewdriver or pry bar.

FIG. 5A shows an alternative method of securing a sheet of film 34 bypushing the retention rib 26 of the clip 18 into an edge of the film 34to push the film 34 into the slot 28 where it is retained by the clip18.

FIG. 6A shows the film 34 secured with a band stretched over the wrappedfilm 34, wrapped around the window frame 24.

FIGS. 7 and 7A show further details of an embodiment of a clip 18.

The front and the side legs 20, 22, the locator flange 32, the retentionrib 26 and grip section 38 are thick enough to be relatively rigid,i.e., having a thickness t of 0.030 inches.

The retention feature 30 is comprised of an upper portion of a thinnerthickness (0.015 inches) so as to be relatively flexible to enabledeflection upon pushing the same into the slot 28 while generating africtional engagement serving to hold the clip 18 on the window 10.

It is noted that the entire retainer rib 26 may be angled to generatefurther friction as the rib 26 will be deflected laterally as it ispushed into the slot 28 to increase the frictional engagement force.

In the example of a clip 18 shown, the front and side legs 20, 22 have alength L of 0.75 inches.

The grip height is 0.25 inches and has a width W of 0.2 inches.

The retainer rib 26 is angled at 10° and is of a depth d of 0.20-0.23inches.

It is noted that the clips 18 are effectively usable with doors orwindows, referred collectively to in the claims as “fenestrations” asnoted above.

1. In combination a plurality of locator and guard clips and a generallyrectangular fenestration, said clips having: a front leg and a side legextending at an approximately right angle to each other to form an anglepiece able to be fit to a respective side fenestration frame; aretention rib projecting from said front leg spaced below said side legand extending in the same direction; said retention rib received in aslot in one side of said fenestration frame and correspondingly spacedinwardly from side of said fenestration frame; and a locator flangeprojecting substantially normally to said side leg from a pointproximate said front leg and extending a distance corresponding to apredetermined minimum clearance space between said fenestration frameand an adjacent building opening into which said fenestration isinstalled.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said locator-guardclips each further include an angled retention feature at a distal endof said retention rib frictionally engaging a sidewall of said slot. 3.The combination of claim 2 wherein said retention feature is of athinner thickness than said retention rib to be flexible.
 4. Thecombination of claim 2 wherein said retention rib of each clip isshallowly angled with respect to said side leg to be deflected laterallywhen inserted in said slot.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein saidlocator and guard clips each further including a grip portion projectingfrom said front leg and approximately normal thereto.
 6. The combinationof claim 1 wherein said locator and guard clips further include aprotective film stretched over the front of said fenestration and aroundsaid series of clips.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said film isheld tucked into each slot in said fenestration frame by said retentionrib of each clip.
 8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said locatorflange of each clip is serrated and said film is stretched over saidserrated edge of said locator flange of each of said clips.
 9. Thecombination of claim 6 wherein said film is wrapped over said side ofsaid fenestration frame and retained thereon by a band wrapped aroundthe perimeter of said frame.
 10. A method of installing a fenestrationinto an opening in a building to be covered with a masonry outer facing,comprising: temporarily installing one or more removable clips on eachside of a fenestration frame, each clip having a locator flangeextending outwardly from said perimeter of said frame a distance fromsaid frame corresponding to a predetermined minimum clearance betweensaid frame and an opening in said building; installing said fenestrationwith said flanges disposed in a common plane with said masonry outerfacing to be constructed; constructing said masonry while; andthereafter removing said clips, whereby said minimum clearance ismaintained.
 11. The method according to claim 10 further includingwrapping a protective film over an outer face of said fenestration andaround said outer edge of said clips and holding said film by formingserrations on said outer edge to engage and hold said film in position.12. The method according to claim 11 further including forming anoutwardly projecting grip on each clip to assist in removal thereof. 13.The method according to claim 11 wherein said clips are temporarilyinstalled by forming a retention rib on each clip and inserting said ribof each clip in a groove formed into a respective side of saidfenestration frame, said slot and rib being configured so as to create africtional securement therein.
 14. The method according to claim 13wherein each clip is integrally formed with a front and side leg fittedto an outer edge of said fenestration frame to provide a cornerprotection thereto.
 15. The method according to claim 13 furtherincluding wrapping a protective film over said retention ribs of saidclips and thereafter inserting said retention rib of each clip into arespective slot to secure said film in position therein.